LS series cooling
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LS series cooling
Ok i know a couple people have swapped to LS based engines i want to know what you did with your rads? did you use stock 4.3 or the donors or did you re-core the original?
HMB
Cobra
HMB
Cobra
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
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Re: LS series cooling
I'm not there yet, but my plan was to use the extra-capacity radiator... I think was available through Autozone... that was a direct replacement for the Astro/SafariCobra wrote:Ok i know a couple people have swapped to LS based engines i want to know what you did with your rads? did you use stock 4.3 or the donors or did you re-core the original?
HMB
Cobra
(And for the fan, I was thinking Taurus electric, or maybe an aftermarket electric, with shroud. My van will need to be able to handle towing a 3-place enclosed snowmobile trailer.)
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Re: LS series cooling
while i never ran my conversion before i pulled the ls engine out for another project and went with a traditional small block, i had installed the stock radiator using the hoses that came with my 01 silverado 5.3 and i put 97 caravan electric fans on. they fit the radiator pretty perfectly, and i am going to use them with my new 350.
Re: LS series cooling
When I went to repair the 94LT's rad by taking it to a rad repair shop,they told me those rad's are not repairable.The main reason was the design of the plastic end tanks are prone to cracking on the reinforcement ribs.Actually showed me where cracks where starting to form but wasn't leaking.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: LS series cooling
Here is the thread for HD cooling for 1995 - 2005 vans.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Topic author - ASV Supporter
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Re: LS series cooling
that is an informative topic but one thing worries me is this true?
i swear that goes against everything i've readdragonvan wrote:Remember a single row rad of any given width has more cooling capacity than a 2 or 3 row of equivalent thickness.
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Re: LS series cooling
On my '99 LS1 in my '98 Astro I used the stock rad with Z28 Camero dual fans. It's been in use for over 20,000 miles and I did have to replace the rad last year due to cracking but that would have happened with whatever engine.
'04 White AWD Astro cargo
'00 Astro / El Camino
'61 BSA Super Rocket
'71 BSA B50 engine in a '67 C25 250 chassis
Impossible is just a degree of difficulty....
'00 Astro / El Camino
'61 BSA Super Rocket
'71 BSA B50 engine in a '67 C25 250 chassis
Impossible is just a degree of difficulty....
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Topic author - ASV Supporter
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Re: LS series cooling
i'm asked because it seems like i have a crack around the upper rad hose .... (i can't think of what it's called) on my rad and coolant is running down it, very slow leak right now but going to have to replace it. If i'm going to have to get a new one anyways i'd like to get a V8 worth one but is ours are ok then i'll look for the thicker core
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: LS series cooling
Cobra, no sense in replacing with stock even if it is adequate. Look for the HD version in the thread I linked. Then if you decide to buy a camper and start towing, you will be good to go.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Topic author - ASV Supporter
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- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
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Re: LS series cooling
I have a habit of upgrading anything i can, If i have to fix it why not improve it right.Cobra wrote:ok then i'll look for the thicker core
![Rock on! :supz:](./images/smilies/icon_super.gif)
I'd like to get the 1 3/8 but i'd have to get mine recored for that and if my tank is the problem wouldn't work out too well lol i'm going to look for some performance full metal ones if anyone has any leads on one that will fit let me know
HMB
Cobra
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Re: LS series cooling
Rock Auto still sells the Astro cores. I got a 1 3/8" core from a 95 or so Lumina/Transport van with heavy duty cooling package. It was the same length so I crimped on the Astro tanks. Worked great. Crimped it myself..
![Image](http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/ad101/sfeaver/IMG_5999.jpg)
Scott
![Image](http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/ad101/sfeaver/IMG_5999.jpg)
Scott
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Topic author - ASV Supporter
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Re: LS series cooling
i see them selling complete rads not just the cored (i may have overlooked it thought) you installed the tanks yourself you say was it easy and how?
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Re: LS series cooling
I meant to say they still sell the Astro tanks. Or use your existing ones if they are still in good shape. Look close, you will find that they might be starting to crack on the ribs on the inlet side.
I used a wide flat headed screwdriver to pry up the crimps, or may have been a pair of channellocks. I dont remember exactly. Just want to lift the tabs up enough to pull off the tank.
To put back together I used channellocks to bend back down. A pair of vise grips works good too as you can set them not to crimp too tight.
I sealed the two hose ports with plastic caps, filled with water and put cooling system pressure tester on it to test for leaks. Didnt have any first time.
It was pretty easy to do, easeier than I thought.
I got the rad core from a wrecker around here, it was almost new so it worked out great. You could always buy a new rad on RockAuto for the 95 Transport to get a new core.
Size of core is 28 1/4" by 17 1/4".
Scott
I used a wide flat headed screwdriver to pry up the crimps, or may have been a pair of channellocks. I dont remember exactly. Just want to lift the tabs up enough to pull off the tank.
To put back together I used channellocks to bend back down. A pair of vise grips works good too as you can set them not to crimp too tight.
I sealed the two hose ports with plastic caps, filled with water and put cooling system pressure tester on it to test for leaks. Didnt have any first time.
It was pretty easy to do, easeier than I thought.
I got the rad core from a wrecker around here, it was almost new so it worked out great. You could always buy a new rad on RockAuto for the 95 Transport to get a new core.
Size of core is 28 1/4" by 17 1/4".
Scott
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Re: LS series cooling
OK, pardone the naive question... But what seals the sides to the core? I've never looked closely at one or took one apart, but figured it wasn't a screwdriver and channel locks job. ![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
-
Topic author - ASV Supporter
- Posts: 1750
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: LS series cooling
I just phoned rockauto they don't sell the tanks for our trucks. the hunt continues lol
mdmead: the seal is what i was wondering about too
mdmead: the seal is what i was wondering about too
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone